News and press releases

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 5 November 2016 – A forum of women candidates for local council elections was organized today in Osh city with the aim of encouraging some 125 graduates of Women’s Leadership Schools from the Bishkek, Issyk-Kul, Osh and Batken regions to participate in the 11 December local council elections...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, with most of the violations recorded around Debaltseve and in the Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport area. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations but fewer explosions compared with the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of shelling and damage to civilian infrastructure on the eastern outskirts of Mariupol, in Pikuzy, in Troitske, and damage to a school in Stanytsia Luhanska.

The OSCE Mission to Moldova organized its second public debate contest on 2 November 2016 for young people, bringing together 98 high school students and their teachers for a debate in Balti.

The role youth activists can play in countering anti-Semitism and other forms of intolerance was at the centre of a seminar organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) from 2 to 4 November 2016 in Budapest for 60 youth activists from across the OSCE region.

VIENNA, 4 November 2016 – Some 100 representatives from governments as well as from academia and the business sector, including security software developers, from across the OSCE region gathered in Vienna today for the Cyber Showcase Event of the German OSCE Chairmanship – this year focusing on the issue of attribution...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period, with most of the violations recorded in areas east and north-east of Mariupol. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with the previous day. The SMM followed up on reports of civilian casualties in Dokuchaievsk and shelling north of Sakhanka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* It monitored two border areas currently not under government control. It monitored repair works to essential infrastructure. The SMM continued to monitor the situation of civilians at entry-exit checkpoints along the contact line. In Kyiv the Mission monitored two protests in front of the Russian Federation Embassy...

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 4 November 2016 – The OSCE Centre in Bishkek supported Kyrgyzstan’s Aarhus Centre Network and the Training Centre of the country’s Supreme Court to conduct training for judges on facilitating citizens’ access to justice on environmental matters, thereby fostering the implementation of the third pillar of the Aarhus Convention...

ALMATY, Kazakhstan, 4 November 2016 – The OSCE-supported second National Forum of Defence Lawyers took place today in Almaty...

VIENNA, 3 November 2016- Addressing the OSCE Permanent Council today, the Co-Chairs of the Geneva International Discussions (GID)- Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the South Caucasus Guenther Baechler, UN Representative Antti Turunen and EU Special Representative Herbert Salber- highlighted some progress in the GID...

KYIV, 3 November 2016- As part of a three-day visit to Ukraine, the Special Representative of the German OSCE Chairmanship Gernot Erler visited the Patrol Hub of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) in the city of Sievierodonetsk in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday. In both Sievierodonetsk and in Kyiv, he also took part in dialogue events of the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine, Vaidotas Verba, and met with representatives of Ukrainian ministries and local authorities of the Luhansk region...

VIENNA, 3 November 2016 – Deeper economic integration, increased political association and dialogue are key to strengthening regional security and implementation of a common agenda, said Albanian Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati as he addressed the OSCE Permanent Council today in Vienna...

The OSCE Mission to Moldova and the Chisinau-based NGO Independent Journalism Center organized a two-day study visit from 26 to 28 October to Romania for 15 students from the Chisinau School of Advanced Journalism (CSAJ). The student group visited independent media outlets in Bucharest and gained practical knowledge of how they function...

SKOPJE, 3 November 2016 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission (EOM) for the early parliamentary elections scheduled for 11 December in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The mission’s deployment follows an invitation from the authorities...

BANJA LUKA, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 3 November 2016 – The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina supported a thematic meeting today in Banja Luka of the Supervisory Body for the Implementation of the National Strategy for Processing of War Crimes, representatives of the High Judicial Prosecutorial Council Secretariat, the ministries of justice, and judges and prosecutors working on war crimes cases...

Democratic policing, the police-public partnership and human rights were in focus of an OSCE-supported training course held for Armenia’s police students from 31 October to 3 November 2016 in Tsaghkadzor with the aim of contributing to Armenian police efforts to advance democratic policing practices...

VIENNA, 3 November 2016 – A three-day OSCE-wide workshop on delimitation and demarcation practices, which brought together thirty senior ranking representatives of national boundary commissions from various OSCE participating States, concluded today in Vienna. Discussions focused on the legal aspects of international boundaries and specific national experiences...

A Decision on communal fees model for municipalities was the focus of a presentation for more than 50 Montenegrin officials in charge of accounting and finances from the country’s municipalities and the Sustainable Development and Tourism Ministry, organized by the OSCE Mission to Montenegro on 1 November 2016 in Podgorica...

COPENHAGEN, 2 November 2016 – Ilkka Kanerva, OSCE PA President Emeritus and Special Coordinator of the OSCE’s short term observers of the recent Russian elections, delivered an address today at the OSCE/ODIHR seminar on election observation and follow up of recommendations, underlining the importance of elections in maintaining and developing a democratic society, particularly given growing disillusionment with established political norms...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations compared with 31 October. Violations were observed in areas north-east of Mariupol and between Debaltseve and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with 31 October. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM continued to follow up on reports of shelling. It monitored two border areas currently not under government control. The SMM monitored a peaceful protest in Kyiv...

TASHKENT, 2 November 2016 – The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) today formally opened an election observation mission for the 4 December early presidential election in Uzbekistan. The mission’s deployment follows an official invitation from the Uzbek authorities...

An OSCE-supported training seminar for the Chu-Talas Water Basin Council and its regular meeting for some 30 representatives from the national water authorities, academia and civil society organizations concluded on 2 November 2016 in Taraz, South Kazakhstan...

On the occasion of the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, the Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo, Ambassador Jan Braathu, called upon all relevant institutions in Kosovo to continue working towards ensuring safe and unfettered working conditions for the media...

PAVLODAR, Kazakhstan, 2 November 2016 – An OSCE-supported training seminar aimed at building the capacity of law enforcement to address transnational threats with a focus on trafficking in drugs, new psychoactive substances and synthetic drugs began today in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan...

Kamensk-Shakhtinskiy, Russian Federation. The Observer Mission (OM) continues to operate 24/7 at both Border Crossing Points (BCPs). The overall number of border crossings by persons decreased at both BCPs...

WARSAW, 2 November 2016 – Michael Georg Link, Director of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), today expressed grave concern over statements by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that the country’s government would soon introduce a bill to reinstate the death penalty, and that he would sign such a bill into law...

VIENNA, 2 November 2016 – On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Committed against Journalists the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović, called on OSCE participating States to step up their investigations and identify and prosecute those who commit crimes against journalists...

BUCHAREST, 2 November 2016 – Some 20 representatives of law enforcement agencies from Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Serbia and Turkey as well as experts from six international organizations concluded a two-day discussion in Bucharest today on better co-operation among law enforcement agencies in combating the increasing spread of New Psychoactive Substances...

SKOPJE, 1 November 2016 – A two-day conference on education rights in diverse societies began today in Skopje bringing together some 100 representatives from state institutions, civil society, academia, international community and all communities in the country...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with 30 October, although it recorded over 40 explosions assessed as artillery rounds in Horlivka. In Luhansk region the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations (57 explosions assessed as artillery rounds) compared with 30 October. It continued to follow up on reports of civilian casualties in Makiivka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* The SMM monitored a number of heavy weapons in violation of the respective withdrawal lines. It monitored five border areas currently not under government control. The SMM facilitated and monitored adherence to the ceasefire to enable repairs to essential infrastructure...

On the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Ertugrul Apakan, Chief Monitor of the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, on 31 October 2016 in Kyiv, highlighted the importance of the engagement of women in bringing stabilization and normalization to Ukraine...

In Donetsk region, the SMM recorded more ceasefire violations on 29 October compared with the day before, followed by a decrease on 30 October. In Luhansk region, the SMM also recorded more ceasefire violations on 29 October compared with the day before, and a decrease on 30 October. It followed up on reports of civilian casualties and shelling in Makiivka. The Mission continued to monitor the disengagement process in Stanytsia Luhanska, Zolote and Petrivske and was restricted in its freedom of movement in all three areas.* Repairs to essential infrastructure in areas east of Mariupol, enabled by SMM facilitation and monitoring of adherence to the ceasefire, were interrupted by firing in the area. The SMM observed weapons in violation of the withdrawal lines. The SMM observed a march in Lviv...

VIENNA, 31 October 2016 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today condemned the arrest of the editor-in-chief of the Turkish daily newspaper Cumhuriyet, Murat Sabuncu, and three of its columnists, Güray Öz, Aydın Engin and Kadri Gürsel, the latter is also a member of the board of the International Press Institute...

Ways to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities to take part in public life and political affairs were discussed at a conference co-organized in Helsinki on 31 October 2016 by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR), Finland’s Ministry for Foreign

CHISINAU, 31 October 2016 – The first round of Moldova’s first direct presidential election in 20 years provided ample opportunity for voters to express their preference for a new head of state. Fundamental freedoms were respected. The campaign was competitive, though marred by widespread abuse of state resources, biased media coverage and a lack of transparency in campaign finance, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today. The election administration worked in a professional and transparent manner, and voting and counting were largely assessed positively by the observers...

ASTANA, 31 October 2016 – An OSCE-supported three-day training seminar for police officers on best practices in managing public assemblies began today in Astana...

KYIV, 31 October 2016 – A first draft Concept on Democratic Control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was tabled for public discussion at an international workshop organized by the OSCE Project Co-ordinator in Ukraine jointly with the country’s Defence Ministry and Verkhovna Rada (Parliament) today in Kyiv...

TBILISI, 31 October 2016 – The 30 October parliamentary run-offs in Georgia were competitive and administered in a manner that respected the rights of candidates and voters, and voting on election day was assessed positively, although issues remain related to lacking a legal framework for second round elections and complaints related to first round results, the international observers concluded in a preliminary statement released today...

The SMM recorded fewer ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, mostly in areas around Avdiivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport and Svitlodarsk. In Luhansk region, the SMM also recorded fewer ceasefire violations compared with the previous reporting period.

OSH, Kyrgyzstan, 29 October 2016 – An OSCE-supported conference on the development and sustainability of Youth Councils in Kyrgyzstan began today in Osh city bringing together some 55 young activists, including the chairpersons and leaders of 13 Territorial Youth Councils of Osh, the Youth Co-ordination Council of Tokmok city, the representatives of seven districts of Osh and activists from Batken, Chui and Jalal-Abad provinces.

The SMM recorded more ceasefire violations in Donetsk region compared with the previous reporting period, mostly in areas around Horlivka, Avdiivka-Yasynuvata and Svitlodarsk, as well as east and north-east of Mariupol...

Responses to violent extremism and radicalization that lead to terrorism (VERLT) requires a comprehensive and resolute strategy, in which families, teachers, community police officers and religious leaders have a key role, concluded participants of an international conference held in Prishtinë/Priština on 26-27 October 2016...

More than 30 academics, legal professionals and representatives of civil society and international organizations explored the implications of states of conflict or emergency on fair trial rights at a meeting organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw

VIENNA, 28 October 2016 – Young journalists from the Russian Federation and Ukraine today concluded a week-long workshop on post-conflict reconciliation in Sarajevo designed to give media experience in dealing with consequences from conflict...

DUSHANBE, 28 October 2016- The 16th Border Management Staff Course concluded at the OSCE Border Management Staff College in Dushanbe today...

A group of four customs officials from Kazakhstan’s Finance Ministry and a representative from Kazakhstan’s Chamber of Commerce concluded an OSCE-supported four-day study visit to Basel and Zurich, Switzerland on 28 October 2016...

Successful inclusion of Roma and Sinti in their societies depends on whether their right to vote and be voted for is adequately exercised, said participants at a consultation meeting organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Warsaw on 27 and 28 October 2016.

At approximately 16:50 on 27 October, driving eastbound between two checkpoints in government-controlled Marinka (23km south-west of Donetsk) the SMM heard heavy exchanges of fire assessed as occurring 2km north-east of its position in the area between Marinka and “DPR”-controlled Oleksandrivka (20km south-west of Donetsk)...

JALAL-ABAD, Kyrgyzstan, 28 October 2016 – The OSCE-supported regional session of the Public Council of the Interior Ministry (MoI) to uphold civilian oversight of the police reform that took place today in Jalal-Abad city for some 160 participants, including members of the Kyrgyz Parliament, representatives of the MoI, local police, authorities as well as civil society and mass media...

The last in a series of five OSCE-supported training seminars for representatives of the government, civil society and judiciary on human rights protection mechanisms concluded in Aktau, Kazakhstan on 28 October 2016...

The annual OSCE-supported national conference on Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) took place on 26 October 2016 in Astana, Kazakhstan, which brought together over 150 representatives of parliament, government institutions, civil society, international organizations and companies in the extractive industry...